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Defining gender-affirming care in Central Oregon

Community-driven terms to describe transgender health care

The term “gender-affirming care” has surged in popularity over the past few years, thanks to the increased politicization of transgender people’s lives. But people aren’t always using it the same way. That’s why we asked focus groups of trans adults and families of trans youth how they understand terms commonly used to describe healthcare for transgender people.

We focused on the terms “gender-affirming care” and “trans-inclusive care” because those were the terms we heard used most often by trans folks in Central Oregon as well as by healthcare providers trying to signal that they welcome transgender patients/clients.

Based on our conversations with community members, we crafted the following working definitions:

Gender-Affirming Care

Care that is delivered in a manner that is respectful, relevant, and responsive to the needs of trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse individuals and their families. This is inclusive of general, transition-related, and specialty health services.  

Sex-Specific Care

Care that is specific to a patient’s sexual organs or secondary sex characteristics. Examples include: cervical and prostate exams, mammograms, and treatment of reproductive and sexual health conditions.

Transition-Related Care

Care that is designed to holistically support an individual and/or their family through gender transition. This may include social and legal transition supports, counseling, puberty suppressing medications, hormone therapy, hair removal, voice therapy, surgeries, and pre- and post-surgical care.

What terms do you use to refer to healthcare that is inclusive and affirming of transgender people? What do you expect from providers who describe themselves this way?

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Central Oregon Healthcare Providers: Tell us about your experiences with gender-affirming care

The Gender Hive is partnering with the Central Oregon Independent Practice Association and the Central Oregon Health Quality Alliance to improve access to healthcare for our transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse community members. But we need your help!

As part of this effort, we have launched a survey to collect data on what Central Oregon healthcare providers and clinics need to support them in providing inclusive and affirming care. This brief survey, developed with technical assistance from the Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU) Community Research Hub, will inform the development of provider training curricula and other resources. 

The provider survey closes on Sept. 11 and is open to healthcare providers and clinic admin staff serving people in Central Oregon (Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties). Please take the survey here, and share this opportunity with your colleagues. 

Gender Hive is also seeking perspectives from parents/caregivers of trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse youth. Please consider sharing this survey with parents of trans youth in your networks as well.

The Gender Hive’s trans health equity project is led by the Central Oregon Trans Health Coalition, and funded by the Oregon Community Foundation, PacificSource Health Systems, Central Oregon Health Council, Seeding Justice, and the Roundhouse Foundation. 

To learn more about the project, which includes a directory of gender-affirming care providers, visit genderhive.org. To receive occasional project updates, join our mailing list or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

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Seeking parents of trans, non-binary, and gender-diverse youth for survey on gender-affirming care

Are you a parent or caregiver to a trans, non-binary, or gender-diverse youth living in Central Oregon? We want to hear from you about your experiences accessing gender-affirming care. To share your perspective and inform the development of future community resources, please take this survey. The first 25 respondents will qualify to receive a $25 Visa gift card.

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Central Oregon Gender-Affirming Healthcare Survey Launches

Are you a trans, non-binary, or gender-diverse adult living in Central Oregon? We want to hear from you about your experiences accessing gender-affirming care. To share your perspective and inform the development of future community resource, please take this survey. The first 25 respondents will qualify to receive a $25 Visa gift card.